Telephone-exchange system



Feb. 7,1928. 1,658,197

E.E.HINRICHSEN TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 2. 1926 Patented Feb. 7, i923.

nairsn sra rss PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. HINBICHSEN, 01 NEW" YORK, N.

L, ASSIGNOR TO BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES, IHCORPOB-ATED, OF DIE-N YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

Application filed November 2, 1926.

nection is completed and additional charges at predetermined intervals during the conversational period.

In accordance with this invention a me tering system including a plurality of interrupters is so arranged that the usual meter associated with the calling subscribers line is actuated, under control of certain oi said interrupters when the calling subscribers line is connected with a called subscribers line and the called subscriber has answered, to register an initial connection completed charge, and so arranged that the meter is thereafter actuated under control of certain other interrupters to register additional charges at predetermined intervals during the conversational period. These latter charges may be called conversational charges.

The invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which a calling subscribers line and a called subscribers line are shown with a cord circuit for connecting the same.

Referring now to the drawing, the series of interrupter-s shown are connected to the cord circuit 1 in such a manner that interrupters 2, 3, 4: and 5 are used in the control of a meter such as 6 of the calling subscribers line 7 to register the initial connection completed charges and the interrupters 9, 10 and 11 are used in the control of the meter to register the additional conversational charges. These interrupters are common to a plurality of cord circuits such as 1.

Tnterrupter 2 is known as a pickup inter rupter and functions to render the timing circuit for the initial charge effective. Interrupter 3 is a timing interrupter for count ing time for the initial charge and operates over the timing circuit rendered efiective by the pick-up interrupter 2. Tnterrupter 4: is a charging interrupter for making the initial charge and operates during the time that the timing circuit under control of interrupter 3 is rendered efiective. -VJhen the called subscriber answers :"0 a change in the rate 0t charging has to be made the Serial No. 145,756.

change-over interrupter 5 becomes effective. Thereupon interrupter 9 known as a pick-up interrupter for the conversational charge renders the conversational charge timing circuit eitective. Thereupon timing interrupter 10 operates over the'timing circui to render the charging interrupter 11 eflective.

Assuming now that the subscriber of line 7 removes his receiver from the hook, a circuit is completed for the operation of the line relay 13. The operation of this relay closes a circuit for lighting a line lamp 14. The operator in charge of cord circuit 1 in answering this call inserts plug 15 into jack 16 of line 7. This cauces the operation of cutoff relay 17 and the lighting of supervisory lamp 18 through the sleeve circuit. The operation of cutofi relay 17 releases the line relay and the line lamp 1 1 is extinguished. The release of line relay 13 connects the calling subscribers meter 6 to the sleeve circuit but the characteristics of this circuit are such that the meter will not be actuated at this time. The supervisory relay 21 of cord circuit 1 is now also operated throu 'h the subscribers loop from the battery connected through the lefthand windings of the repeating coil 20. The operation of supervisory relay 21 closes a circuit for the operation of relay 22, as follows: battery, armature and front contact of relay 21, winding of relay 22, resistance 23, left hand armature and back contact of relay 24 through the sleeve circuit and winding of cutoff relay 17 to ground. Lamp 18 is now extinguished as it is shunted by the winding of relay 22. Y

The operator now communicates with the calling subscriber by operating the usual talking key in the cord circuit (not shown), and when the desired number is received she will insert 26 into jack 28 of the wanted subscribers line 30v and operate the usual ringing key (not shown), to call the subscriber. When the called subscriber on line 30 answers, the supervisory relay 32 is operated and this relay in turn closes an obvious circuit for the operation of relay 33 and extinguishing of lamp 39 which was lighted on the insertion of plug 26 into jack'28. Relay 33 in operating closes a circuitfor the operation of relay 3% when the interrupter 2 is in position to connect ground to the stated.

and, front contact of relay 33, Winding and make-before-break contact of relay il-rt through the inteaupter 2 to ground. Relay 3- in operating provides a locking circuit for itself through its left hand armature and front cont-act to ground independent of the ground supply through interrupter 2. This relay 3a in operating now completes a connection for the intermittent operation of relay 85 as fol-lows: battery, Winding); of relay 35, outer left hand armature and front contact of relay 33, outer right hand armature and front contact of relay 22, inner right hand armature and front contact of relay 34: to ground at interrupter 3. Interrupter 3 completes this circuit intermittently and relay 35 is therefore intermittently operated as The relation of the connections to ground from the interrupters 2 and 3 is such that the ground will be removed from the circuit through interrupter 2 a certain period before it is applied to the circuit through the interrupter 3, to permit relay 3% to release Within that period Without ground being applied to the circuit for relay 3:.

26 has been connected to a busy back jack, that is, the interval bet-Ween the operation of relays 34 and 35 is such that if the operation of the supervisory relay 32 is due to a busy back jack connection, relay will be released by the busy back interrupter be fore relay 35 has time to operate.

Assuming, hoWever,that relay 3% remains operated, as would ordinarily be the case i when the (Jttl'l'iho' subscriber answers, relay 35 will operate ivhen ground is applied through the interrupter 3 at the end of said period. Relay 35 in operating will now apply a metering potential from ii-iterriqoter a to the sleeve circuit for the operatimi oi meter 6 over a circuit as follows: from hattery through the inttu'rnpler ll. outer ii'igrl-it hand armature and back contact of relay 36, outer left hand armature and llront contact of relay 35 through the sleeve Cllzt nit, left hand armature and back contact of line relay 13, winding of meter 6 to ground. It will be noted that the application of a l'ilfa iF ing' potential through the segments of interrupter 4 may be such that two or more i-in-- pulses or metering potential may be applied for theoperation of the meter dependent upon the manner in Which the reg ration on the meter is to take place. The operative and non-operativesegments of th rupters o and 4; have been so arranged that duri the operation of relay 35, two im- 1? potent a a in This 1s necessary in order to prevent false operation of the meter 6 in case the plug meter (3. l fhen relay 35 is released due to the ground being removed through interrupter 3, a ground is applied through interrupter 5 for the operation of relay as fol lows: battery, right hand \i'inding of relay 2a. outer rig, it armature and front contact of relay 2%; to ground at the interrupter 5. Relay 2% in operating its left hand armature includes its left hand winding in series with the resistance 23 in the sleeve circuit so that this relay 24 will now remain operated. as long plug 15 remains inserted in jack 16 independent of the energizing circuit through its right hand winding. The open ation of relay 2% causes the release of relay by the operation of its right hand armature and closes a circuit for the operation of relay 86 as follows: battery right hand armature and front contact of relay 2%, windingand make-before-break contact of relay 36 to ground Which will be connected through a segment of interrupter 9, that is, a ground will be connected to interrupter 9: a certain interval after the connection of ground to interrupter 5 so as to permit the first conversational. period to elapse before any additional charge is made as will be hereinafter described. lVhenrelay 3.6 operates it provides a locking circuit for itsell; through its left hand outer front contact independent of the ground applied by interrupter 9. This relay 36 inoperating closes a circuit for the operation of relay" as follows: battery, Winding of relay 3.5, outclclosed contacts of relay 33 and 22,. inner right hand: arn'iature and front contact of relay 35 to ground through the interrupter 10. This interrupt-er at this time supplies ground and this ground is supplied: and ren'iovcd thereafter at certain intervals-to allo W for the subsequent operations of the reg:- ister during;succeeding fixed cmiversational periods for which ciunu'lative cliarges are to be made. These pei.-'iod'ic charge a:r can troll-ed during the succeeding conversatim al periods by interrupter 11. That is, during each of such periods that relay 35 is 1naiintained o 'ieruted by interrupter ftl'l motel" potential from interrupter 1:1 is ap 'ilied to the sleeve circuit to operate the mi (-3 in the desiredmanner; For exam the meter may receive one or more .nnpul: of

notegl that the 1 ii i .1

through interrupter 11 will reverse the current in the left hand winding of relay 24.. Hence, to prevent relay 24 from releasing during the periods relay 35 is operated, a circuit is completed through the right hand winding of relay 2st which maintains it operated. This circuit may be traced as follows: battery, right hand winding of relay 2%, outer right hand armature and back contact of rela 34, ri ht hand armature and front contact relay 35 to ground.

Relay 35 in operating locks up independently of the contacts of relays 22 and 33 through its inner left hand armature and front contact under control of the ground applied at the interrupter 10 so that if either of the subscribers should operate the switchhook while this relay is operated it will not interfere with the proper operation of meter 6 during this period. This condition is also guarded against during the establishing charge period as interrupter 3 will maintain relay 35 operated independent of relays 22 and 33 while interrupter 4: is applying the metering potential.

It is evident that the cutting of the cams 2 to 5 and 9 to 11 may be different from those shown in the drawing to operate the meter 6 a different number of times at the time a called subscriber answers and during each charging period thereafter as well as to arrange for'the charging periods during a conversational connection to take place at differentintervals. The particular cuttings shown on the interrupters are therefore merely illustrative of one method of operating the meter.

When either of the subscribers hangs up his receiver at the end of a conversation the corresponding supervisory relay will be released and this relay in turnwill release relay 22 or 33. Either of these relays will open the circuit for relay 35 so as to prevent metering potential from being applied after the next preceding application as determined by the cuttings on interrupter 10. \Vhen the called subscriber hangs up his receiver it is evident that lamp 3.9 will light and the operator will then take down the connection by removing plug 26 from jack 28 and plug 15 from jack 16 thus causing the release of relays 24; and 36.

It is evident that this invention is not limited in its use to any particular telephone system but may be employed in anysystems where it is necessary to make cumulative service charges.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, a calling line. a meter associated therewith and means for operating said meter comprising a timing circuit, a pick-up interrupter for rendering said timing circuit effective, a charging circuit, a timing interrupter operating over said timing circuit to render said charging circuit effective, and a charging interrupter for operating said meter over said charging circuit.

2. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter associated therewith, a called line and means responsive to the establishment of a conversational circuit from said calling line to said called line for operating said meter comprising a timing circuit, a pick-up in terrupter for rendering said timing circuit effective, a charging circuit, a timing interrupter operating over said timing circuit to render said charging circuit efiective, and a charging interrupter for operating said meter over said charging circuit.

3. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter associated therewith, a cord circuit for extending said line and a plurality of periodic interrupters associated .with said cord circuit for controlling said meter, said interrupters being constructed and arranged in a circult whereby a first interrupter prepares a clrcult, a second lnterrupter operates in said prepared circuit and prepares a secondary circuit, and a third interrupter opcrates over said secondary prepared circuit to cause the operation of said meter.

4. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter associated therewith, a cord circuit for extending said line, a charging circuit asso ciated with said cord circuit, an interrupter for operating said meter over said circuit, a

timing circuit and a timing interrupter operatmg thereover for rendering sald charging circuit operative, and an interrupter for rendering said timing circuit operative.

5. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter associated therewith, a cord circuit for extending said line, a connection charge circuit associated with said cord circuit, a connection charge interrupter for operating said meter over said circuit, a timing circuit -and a timing interrupter operating thereover for rendering said connection charge circuit operative, a connection charge pickup interrupter for rendering said timing circuit operative, a conversational time unit charge circuit associated with said cord circuit, a conversational time unit charge interrupter for operating said meter over said conversational time unit charge circuit, a timing circuit and an interrupter for measuring conversational time units operating thereover for periodically rendering said conversational time unit charge circuit operative, a conversational time unit charge pick-up interrupter for rendering said last timing circuit operative, and means effective after the period measured by said first timing interrupter for rendering said connection charge circuit inelfective and for rendering said conversational time unit charge pick-up interrupter efiective.

6. In a telephone system. a calling line. a called line, a cord circuit for interconnect ing said lines, a meter associated With the said calling line and means responsive to the establishment of a conversational circuitfrom said callingline through said cord circuit to said called line for operating said meter to make a connection charge and responsive tothe maintenance of said conversational circuit for subsequently and periodically operating said meter to make conversational charges, said means comprising a pick-up, a timing and a charging interrupter for making, the said connection charge, a pick-up, a timing and a charging interrupter for making the said conversational charges, and a change-over interrupter responsive to the circuitehanges produced by said connection charge interrupters for rendering said connection charge interrupters ineiicctive and for rendering said conversational. charge interrupters effective In Witness whereof. I hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day of October, A 11 EDVYARD HINREGHSEN. 

